A huge boost to press freedom

The decision to eliminate the jail sentence in press cases comes as a great relief for journalists and a boost to press freedom. A longtime demand of journalists, the decision comes two days after two journalists were sentenced to two months in jail after being accused of slandering a woman involved in a domestic dispute.

The decision was taken by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said there were other measures that may be taken against journalists who violate the law.

According to Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National Media Council (NMC), the government has been instructed to "speed up the necessary steps to issue the new press law in light of the amendments made by the NMC after consulting the concerned bodies."

The move "reflects Shaikh Mohammad's belief in freedom of the press and its important role in society," and underlines his support for journalists, the minister said. It also reflects the Vice President's "keenness to provide the best work environment for the media to carry out [its] duties in the best way."

The UAE, a rapidly growing modern state the core of which is good governance, needs a free press to reflect the constant changes in society and provide an essential monitoring tool to sustain transparency and accountability in the development process.

The government should be commended for siding with the freedom of the press. Shaikh Mohammad's decision sends a strong message to everybody concerned that the press is truly the fourth estate. Those who put the national interests first should not fear the free press. They should indeed help us help them strive for a progressive UAE where the law is supreme.